Kris meeke- the fastest driver with no seat

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Originally Posted by rallyfun

That is the problem of this topic as we can't really be right with any driver until we put them into the cars and let them drive few rallies. But hipothetically if we talk strictly about WRC and by that I mean WRC cars with "proper" program there is plenty (Ogier, Sordo, Mikkelsen, Hanninen, PG Andersson, Abrring, Duval). Of course first 3 will have a seat next season apparently but I guess we talk about 2012.

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The first 4 of that list all have deals with VW or Skoda though, so weren't turned down for a WRC seat. PG is not as good as Meeke on any surface except snow, and I don't think many if any would disagree with that. Abbring is a talent but not yet experienced enough for a WRC seat, and Duval is talented but not consistent or professional enough, and been away from the game for too long. Sorry but that's just the truth - I agree we can't be 100% sure until we've seen everyone in a good/equal car for a large sample of rallies, but all the evidence/knowledge we have points towards Meeke as the best option without a WRC seat or some sort of contract.

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Originally Posted by Mintexmemory

You have mis understood the point - stop using Google translate!!

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I'm not using it, but may be I should have. What was the point?

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Originally Posted by Mintexmemory

Actuallly I'm as sober as a judge! I just get annoyed when people don't support their prejudices with reasoned argument. Sweeping statements like 'he had his chance and he blew it' demonstrate a superficiality that is mind-blowing in its profundity (make sense of that I dare you).
Just like you, this is anything but nationalistic I just have found, late in life, that I'm BS-intolerant!

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"A superficiality that is mind-blowing in its profundity" has to be one of the greatest phrases ever uttered on here, especially this time of night! But I am in total agreement - I'm yet to hear a reason why Meeke isn't a good option, let alone if there is any better option

I have nothing against Kris Meeke. I actually felt bad how Prodrive treated him because I was curious to see if he had reached his peak as a driver. But the fact is that he got shadowed by Sordo when he drove Mini. I got to see him live at NORF. The only impression of him was that he managed to stall his car in a downhill curve, in a location I didn't think it was possible to stall a car ?? Anayway, should he drive DS3 I still can't see him as a permanent podium visitor. Not as long as Ogier, Latvala and Hirvonen are around. Against Ostberg, I don't think so either. Which reminds me again very awkward transition. We have a very narrow range of top drivers at the moment :mark:

But I do think he deserves a shot as do anybody else.

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Originally Posted by A.F.F.

I have nothing against Kris Meeke. I actually felt bad how Prodrive treated him because I was curious to see if he had reached his peak as a driver. But the fact is that he got shadowed by Sordo when he drove Mini. I got to see him live at NORF. The only impression of him was that he managed to stall his car in a downhill curve, in a location I didn't think it was possible to stall a car ?? Anayway, should he drive DS3 I still can't see him as a permanent podium visitor. Not as long as Ogier, Latvala and Hirvonen are around. Against Ostberg, I don't think so either. Which reminds me again very awkward transition. We have a very narrow range of top drivers at the moment :mark:

But I do think he deserves a shot as do anybody else.

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Being beaten by Sordo is nothing to be ashamed of though. He's among the top 5 rally drivers in the world. But as you say, the narrow range of top drivers - with only Loeb, JML, Mikko, Ogier, Petter and Sordo really being able to consistently be right at the sharp end in my view - makes it more important for drivers like Meeke and Hanninen to get a chance and for drivers like Atkinson and Wilson to step aside as they've shown that they don't have the ability to breach that gap. Who knows, but maybe Meeke (among others) can breach the gap.

I agree, anyone who's giving everything he can to be faster deserves a seat. Meeke looks one of those guys.

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Originally Posted by stefanvv

I'm not using it, but may be I should have. What was the point?

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It's late, the waiters want to finish, the Australians will be here soon. Have one for the road and read the thread from the start in the morning! Citroen are great, Loeb is Great and if Meeke had been in the DS3 he wouldn't have been off the podium (but would have followed team orders if he knew what was good for him) all year. That was the point - Bonne Nuit, Guten Nacht Buona Notte

I'm afraid Hänninen's train already left the station and he wasn't in it. What comes to Meeke, he already got so close to WRC seat that it's morally wrong he is not driving there with others.

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Originally Posted by rallyfun

8 out of 10 titles in last 10 years and you think Citroen is not the best?

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I'm not keen to OT, but what is this thing 8 of 10. So Citroen foresaw they had the future champion and threw everything they got to continue winning with him. How long they would be around if they didn't have Loeb? No one knows. I would use different drivers argument for this.

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Originally Posted by A.F.F.

I'm afraid Hänninen's train already left the station and he wasn't in it. What comes to Meeke, he already got so close to WRC seat that it's morally wrong he is not driving there with others.

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:) what was Meeke's quote when informed by Prodrive he was not required for 2012?
Something along the lines that the girl of your dreams, who you thought was forever, phones you to tell you she's going to work as a prostitute.
It's business and the money talks - morals really don't enter into it, sadly.